253 An interdepartmental program Journalism Courses of Study: Minor Objectives The Journalism Program examines the place of the media in the American experience. The program offers students a unique, liberal-arts approach to the study of journalism. A diverse faculty of scholars and journalism professionals teach students about the role of the media in domestic and international affairs and train students in the skills necessary for the accomplished practice of journalism. In class and in professional environments, students wrestle with the challenges and responsibilities of communicating the essence of world events, domestic and human issues, in print and broadcast journalism. The program is part of the University s larger effort to train students to be critical thinkers and forceful writers. While there are a few courses that teach specific journalistic skills, the Journalism Program is not a nuts-and-bolts communication program; rather it features a strong liberal arts curriculum that grounds students in an academic subject area and gives them the tools to translate and transmit knowledge to a general audience. In the core courses and electives, students study the history and organization of media institutions; examine the ethical responsibilities of media practitioners; analyze the relationships among the media and other American social, political, and corporate institutions; and learn the reporting, writing, and editing skills needed by the print and broadcast media. While some of our graduates advance directly to graduate programs in journalism and communications, and others take jobs in journalistic venues including public relations and advertising, many go on to other vocational areas where the skills and learning impacted by the program are found to be highly valuable. How to Become a Minor This minor is open to all Brandeis undergraduates, subject to limitations on appropriate class size. Students who complete the requirements of the program receive journalism certificates and notations on their transcripts. Committee Stephen Whitfield, Director Jeffrey Abramson John Burt (English and American Literature) Jacob Cohen Thomas Doherty Gordon Fellman Andrew Hahn Martin Levin Janet McIntosh Laura Miller Peter Petri (Brandeis International Business School) Requirements for the Minor Students are expected to complete a minimum of six courses from the following options: A. Core Courses: Students will be required to take (at least) two out of the following three core courses: AMST 15a (Writing for the Media), AMST 137b (Journalism in 20th Century America), and JOUR 120a (The Culture of Journalism). B. Students will be required to complete one of the three following options: Internship (students serve in a preapproved outside internship along with JOUR 92a [Contemporary Media: Internship and Analysis]); Senior Writing Project (students write one semesterlong paper as an independent study in the Journalism Program JOUR 98a or b); or Honors Thesis (students write an honors thesis in their major that is on a topic relating to the media). C. Students will be required to take three electives from the following five special areas of study, no more than two in any one department: Contemporary Affairs and the Media; Analytical and Research Methods; History, Principles, and Practice; Communications Theory; or Politics, Law, and Ethics. Students are strongly encouraged to choose their electives from different groups. Not every course will be
254 Journalism Courses of Instruction (1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students AMST 15a Writing for the Media A hands-on workshop designed to teach basic broadcast newswriting skills, as well as techniques for gathering, producing, and delivering radio and television news. Stresses the importance of accuracy. Issues of objectivity, point of view, and freedom of the press are discussed. Writing assignments will be written on deadline. JOUR 92a Contemporary Media: Internship and Analysis Prerequisite: AMST 15a, 137b, or 138b. Brings together students who are independently engaged in various media internships and provides an opportunity for them to exchange their experiences with other students and to discuss and analyze related readings. Students who choose to satisfy the journalism minor s internship option must take this course. Usually offered every semester. JOUR 98a Independent Study JOUR 98b Independent Study (100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students AMST 137b Journalism in Twentieth- Century America Examines what journalists have done, how their enterprise has in fact conformed with their ideals, and what some of the consequences have been for the republic historically, primarily in the 20th century. Mr. Whitfield JOUR 103b Advertising and the Media Combines an historical analysis of advertising with an examination of its contemporary practice. Examines the creative process, advertising across media, and the blurring of the line between advertising and editorial content. Usually offered every second year. JOUR 104a Political Packaging in America Examines the history of political marketing, image-making in presidential campaigns, the relationship between news and ads, and the growth of public-policy advertising by special-interest groups to influence legislation. Usually offered every third year. JOUR 107b Media and Public Policy [ wi ss ] Examines the intersection of the media and politics, the ways in which each influences the other, and the consequences of that intersection for a democracy. Through analytic texts, handouts, and contemporaneous newspaper and magazine articles, explores the relationship between policy decisions and public discourse. Usually offered every second year. Ms. McNamara JOUR 110b Ethics in Journalism Should reporters ever misrepresent themselves? Are there pictures newspapers should not publish? Is it ever acceptable to break the law in pursuit of a story? Examines the media s ethics during an age dominated by scandal and sensationalism. Ms. McNamara JOUR 112b Literary Journalism: The Art of Feature Writing [ wi ss ] Introduces students to signal works of literary journalism. Helps develop the students own voices by honing and improving students own work and by critiquing the work of professionals and colleagues. Usually offered every second year. JOUR 120a The Culture of Journalism Examines the social, cultural, political, and economic influences on the practice and profession of journalism. Provides the background and concepts for a critical analysis of American journalism. Usually JOUR 125b Journalism of Crisis Analyzes the practice of journalism during times of crisis. Topics include the process of news gathering in a breaking news environment, the framing of news as it occurs, and the often conflicting agendas of the journalist and the actor involved in a crisis. Elective Courses The following courses are approved for the program. Not all are given in any one year. Please consult the Schedule of Classes each semester. Contemporary Affairs and the Media AAAS 117a Communications and Social Change in Developing Nations AMST 132b International Affairs and the American Media AMST 134b The New Media in America AMST 139b Reporting on Gender, Race, and Culture JOUR 103b Advertising and the Media Analytical and Research Methods AMST 191b Greening the Ivory Tower: Researching and Improving the Brandeis Environment SOC 181a Quantitative Methods of Social Inquiry History, Principles, and Practice AMST 130b Television and American Culture AMST 131b News on Screen AMST 196d Film Workshop: Recording America ENG 9a Advanced Writing Seminar ENG 17a The Alternative Press in the United States: 1910-2000 JOUR 112b Literary Journalism: The Art of Feature Writing Communication Theory ANTH 26a Communication and Media SOC 146a Mass Communication Theory
Journalism 255 Politics, Law, and Ethics JOUR 104a Political Packaging in America JOUR 107b Media and Public Policy LGLS 137a Libel and Defamation, Privacy and Publicity POL 110a Media, Politics, and Society POL 115a Constitutional Law POL 115b Seminar: Constitutional Law and Theory POL 116b Civil Liberties in America Latin See Classical Studies. An interdepartmental program Latin American Studies Courses of Study: Minor Major (B.A.) Objectives Latin American studies provides a major and a minor (open to students in any major) for those who wish to structure their studies of Latin America. It offers an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Mexico, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and the Latin American diaspora in the United States. Students with widely ranging interests are welcome. How to Become a Major or Minor Students in the major and the minor work closely with an advisor to develop an individualized plan of study that combines breadth with a focus in one discipline (usually history, politics, or Spanish). Students whose interests do not easily fit the courses available at Brandeis may arrange independent study with members of the staff. Students may also take advantage of the resources of neighboring institutions through the Boston Area Consortium on Latin America. Courses may be taken at Boston College, Boston University, Tufts University, and Wellesley College. Study in Latin America for a term or a year is encouraged. In the past, students have studied at universities in Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and Brazil, and other possibilities are available. Credit may also be obtained for internships in Boston-area organizations related to Latin America. Transfer students and those studying abroad may obtain credit for up to half the required courses from courses taken elsewhere, with the approval of the program chair. Program Faculty Ángela Pérez-Mejía, Chair Marjorie Agosin (Madeleine Hass Russell Visiting Professor) Silvia Arrom (History) Roxanne Dávila Elizabeth Ferry Ricardo Godoy Charles Golden Donald Hindley James Mandrell Jeremy Mumford (Florence Levy Kay Fellow in Atlantic World History) Wellington Nyangoni (African and Afro-American Studies) Lucia Reyes de Deu Laurence Simon Faith Smith (African and Afro-American Studies/English and American Literature) Ibrahim Sundiata (African and Afro-American Studies/ History) Eva Thorne Javier Urcid Dessima Williams
256 Latin American Studies Requirements for the Major A. Passing grade in any 30-level Spanish course or the equivalent, or reading competency examination in Spanish or Portuguese (administered by LAS). Another foreign language spoken in Latin America or the Caribbean may be substituted with the permission of the Latin American studies committee. B. HIST 71a or b; POL 144a or b; and one semester course on Latin American or Caribbean Literature. C. An upper-level writing-intensive seminar that may be LAS 100a (Seminar: Topics in Latin American Studies) or another advanced seminar to be designated as fulfilling the seminar requirement. Requirements for the Minor A. Four semester courses from the course listings under Latin American studies below. B. An upper-level writing-intensive seminar that may be LAS 100a (Seminar: Topics in Latin American Studies) or another advanced seminar to be designated as fulfilling the seminar requirement. C. No more than two of the required five courses may be from the same department, and no more than two courses may be electives requiring a paper to count for LAS. D. No course with a final grade below C- can count toward the LAS minor. D. At least six additional semester courses from the listing provided below. E. No more than five of the 10 required courses may be from the same department, and no more than three courses may be electives requiring a paper to count for LAS. F. Candidates for the degree with honors in Latin American studies must be approved by the committee and complete LAS 99d, a two-semester senior thesis. G. No course with a final grade below C- can count toward the LAS major. Courses of Instruction (1-99) Primarily for Undergraduate Students LAS 92a Internship Combines off-campus experience in a Latin America-related internship with written analysis under the supervision of a faculty sponsor. Students arrange their own internships. Counts only once toward fulfillment of requirements for the major or the minor. LAS 92b Internship See LAS 92a for course description. LAS 98a Independent Study LAS 98b Independent Study LAS 99d Senior Research Independent research and writing, under faculty director, of a senior thesis. Usually (100-199) For Both Undergraduate and Graduate Students LAS 100a Seminar: Topics in Latin American Studies May be repeated for credit. Examines major themes and problems in Latin American studies from an interdisciplinary perspective. Topics vary from year to year. Topic for 2005-06 only, Chile: A History of Memory and Silence. Elective Courses AAAS 125b Caribbean Women and Globalization: Sexuality, Citizenship, Work AAAS 133b The Literature of the Caribbean ANTH 131b Latin America in Ethnographic Perspective ANTH 147b The Rise of Mesoamerican Civilization ANTH 168a The Maya COML 111b Creating the Transnational Caribbean: Language, Gender, Race ECON 26a Latin America s Economy ENG 107a Caribbean Women Writers ENG 127b Migrating Bodies, Migrating Texts FA 24b Twentieth-Century and Contemporary Latin American Art HIST 71a Latin American History, Pre-Conquest to 1870 HIST 71b Latin American History, 1870 to the Present HIST 174a The Legacy of 1898: U.S.-Caribbean Relations since the Spanish-American War POL 131b Social Movements in Latin America POL 132b Political Economy of Latin America POL 144a Latin American Politics I POL 144b Latin American Politics II
Latin American Studies 257 SECS 169a Travel Writing and the Americas: Columbus s Legacy SOC 125b U.S.-Caribbean Relations SPAN 108a Spanish for Bilingual Students SPAN 111b Introduction to Latin American Literature SPAN 155b Latin America Between Baroque and Kitsch SPAN 163a The Latin American Boom and Beyond SPAN 164b Studies in Latin American Literature SPAN 166b Writing the Latin American City SPAN 168b Latin America Narrated by Women SPAN 195a Latinos in the United States: Perspectives from History, Literature, and Film Elective Courses (requiring a paper) The following electives, which include Latin America or the Caribbean as one of the several areas studied, normally count toward the major or minor only if students write a paper on Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Latin American diaspora. AAAS 123a Third World Ideologies AAAS 126b Political Economy of the Third World AAAS 134b Novel and Film of the African Diaspora AAAS 158a Theories of Development and Underdevelopment AAAS 167a African and Caribbean Comparative Political Systems ANTH 55a Models of Development ANTH 153a Writing Systems and Scribal Traditions ANTH 156a Power and Violence: The Anthropology of Political Systems ANTH 184b Cross-Cultural Art and Aesthetics HIST 115a History of Comparative Race and Ethnic Relations HIST 171a New World Revolutions: United States, Haiti, Peru HIST 172a Native Peoples of the Americas POL 128a The Politics of Revolution: State Violence and Popular Insurgency in the Third World POL 180b Sustaining Development SOC 112a Topics on Women and Development SOC 122a The Sociology of American Immigration SOC 171a Women Leaders and Transformation in Developing Countries SPAN 109b Introduction to Hispanic Cultural Studies Elective Courses (if Latin America or Caribbean is primary focus) The following electives count toward LAS only in those years when they analyze films or texts from Latin America, the Caribbean, or the Latin American diaspora. FREN 165b Francophone Literature of Africa POL 146b Seminar: Topics in Revolutions in the Third World SPAN 191a Hispanic Topics in Translation SPAN 192a Women s Fiction in Translation SPAN 193b Topics in Cinema